INTRODUCTION

Our philosophy at Evolution Children Services is to place the needs of the young people at the heart of our service by promoting independence and providing care that respects young people’s choice, rights, privacy and dignity.

The furnishings, decor, fixtures and fittings were accessed in consultation with young people who have experience of the ‘looked after’ system and their advice was sought in relation to, ‘what makes a home homely’ from a young person’s perspective.

ETHOS OF NUMBER 60

The ethos of the home incorporates the following beliefs,

• That each young person should be viewed as an individual and that their views, attitudes and opinions are respected.
• That young people are experts on themselves, therefore they should be actively involved in decision making about their lives.
• That young people make mistakes; experience, help and guidance will empower and enable them.
• All practice and planning processes are focussed towards meeting the ‘five outcomes’ of the ‘Every Child Matters’ strategy currently being developed on a community based and national level.

ABOUT THE HOUSE

Number 60 is situated to the west of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is a large terraced house offering a safe, warm and comfortable environment to five children or young people of either sex, between the ages of 14 and 18 years.

The house is situated to the west of Newcastle. It is a large terraced building built in the 1930’s. The accommodation consists of three floors. The ground floor comprises of one large living room. This area is designed to be a traditional living room, complete with soft furnishings, TV and library. There is a small room available on this floor which has been converted into a private telephone call facility.

The kitchen is extremely large with a breakfast bar and a dining area capable of sitting up to eight people. A large utility area provides separate accommodation for laundry facilities, adjacent to this room is a further shower room. To the first floor there is a large room which has been converted into a large shower and bathing facility, This has been designed to meet the specific cultural and religious needs of the young people in our care. On this floor there are three large bedrooms, along with a second bathroom/shower facility and a separate toilet.

On the second floor there are three further bedrooms one of which is a room which will be a designated staff sleep in room and for administrative purposes and will ensure the safe storage of personal information and other personal effects. All rooms have smoke detectors connected to a central system. Regulation fire doors are in place throughout. The decor and furnishings within the home were selected following advice and input from a group of young people with first hand experience of the ‘looked after’ system who were ideally placed to offer advice as to what makes a home comfortable and welcoming from a young person’s perspective.

LOCATION

The house is ideally situated for all local amenities. There is a public park with a leisure centre, football pitches and tennis courts across the road from the home. There is easy access to local schools, colleges and a thriving and diverse shopping area is approximately 10 minutes walk away, whilst excellent transport links into the city centre are accessible on the doorstep (a journey of no more than 10 minutes), where the children and young people can access a wide range of varied and stimulating activities including, swimming and sporting activities, bowling and cinemas etc. A car will be available also for use for the children and young people and this will facilitate access to more specialist interests in and around the region or further afield.

Download Forms

Name of Form	Type of Form	Relevant Contact	Download
Statement of Purpose	Information	Michael Laws 0191 281 3162	Download